The Steelers are among several NFL teams that closed team headquarters on Friday in observance of Juneteeth as a company holiday.
Art Rooney founded the Steelers (then known as the Pirates) in 1933 and was known for his progressive disposition, especially toward Black athletes.
Rooney also brought in tackle Ray Kemp, who was an original member of the Pirates when they entered the NFL in 1933 and was the sole Black player on the team and one of only two Black players in the league.
No other African American would play in the league again until 1946 and then in 1952, fullback Jack Spinks (11th round) and halfback Bill Robinson (25th round) became the first Black players to be drafted by the Steelers.
Recognizing the importance of integrating Black players on his team, Rooney hired Bill Nunn, the NFL’s second Black scout.
Currently, there are five Black coaches on the Steelers staff with head coach Mike Tomlin being the longest tenured Black head coach in NFL history
Steelers set the standard for diversity in the NFL
The Steelers are among several NFL teams that closed team headquarters on Friday in observance of Juneteeth as a company holiday.
Art Rooney founded the Steelers (then known as the Pirates) in 1933 and was known for his progressive disposition, especially toward Black athletes.
Rooney also brought in tackle Ray Kemp, who was an original member of the Pirates when they entered the NFL in 1933 and was the sole Black player on the team and one of only two Black players in the league.
No other African American would play in the league again until 1946 and then in 1952, fullback Jack Spinks (11th round) and halfback Bill Robinson (25th round) became the first Black players to be drafted by the Steelers.
Recognizing the importance of integrating Black players on his team, Rooney hired Bill Nunn, the NFL’s second Black scout.
Currently, there are five Black coaches on the Steelers staff with head coach Mike Tomlin being the longest tenured Black head coach in NFL history